Parents' Guide to M3GAN 2.0

The violence, language, and dramatic stakes are all ratcheted up in this sequel to the campy 2023 horror hit, but it lacks the original's surprise punch and sly humor. The fun of M3GAN was M3GAN's gradual transformation from a comforting playmate to a bereaved little girl to an unstoppable killing machine; since viewers know her capabilities going in to M3GAN 2.0 , her uncanny-valley face and creepy dead eyes don't offer nearly as much of a kick this time. The situation is improved somewhat by the spooky sight of Sakhno—the updated version of M3GAN, who's a master of delivering an unnerving, stone-faced stare—but it's hard to see her plotline as anything other than a bit of a distraction (something about the military, something about technological secrets, mumble mumble, now all of humanity is in danger from killer robots!) that's just meant to justify the need to get the original M3GAN into an upgraded body, stat, and get the two 'bots battling already!

Jemaine Clement is a welcome addition to the cast as a "philanthro-capitalist" (hmmm, OK) who's interested in getting his hands on M3GAN's technology, which he plans to combine with the neuro implant he invented to make the most super-awesome robots ever. Clement clearly understood the assignment, and he's a hoot as a colorful villain in the James Bond mold. Brian Jordan Alvarez is another high point as Gemma's duplicitous colleague, Cole; the filmmakers must have noticed his comedic chops after FX's English Teacher made waves in 2024. There are well-crafted jokes, too, such as when Gemma fears that M3GAN will run amok again and temporarily implants her consciousness into a teeny-tiny plastic kids' toy; when M3GAN is given a more realistic body, she's so overjoyed that the action grinds to a halt for an over-the-top dance sequence. But, overall, M3GAN 2.0 ultimately falls victim to the prime weakness of sequels: Though it tries to do more, ultimately, the effect on viewers is less now that the material isn't a surprise. There are fewer laughs, fewer gasps, and more moments that drag on (the film's running time is nearly two hours; trimming some of the battles would have helped). For M3GAN superfans, there may still be enough meat on these bones to satisfy, but it's unlikely to convert any nonbelievers.